Generation of a broadband continuum by a Ti:sapphire femtosecond oscillator with a 1-GHz repetition rate

A five-element Ti:sapphire femtosecond ring oscillator emitting a broadband continuum that ranges from 560 to 1150 nm at -50 dB below the maximum with a repetition rate of 1 GHz is demonstrated. The key element is a slightly convex cavity mirror that increases the self-amplitude modulation of a short pulse inside the resonator. Flat negative intracavity group-delay dispersion is required only for the core spectral part of the pulse. We believe that the device presented will make optical frequency metrology and future optical atomic clocks simpler and more stable. Within the reported ultrabroad spectrum a distinct strong emission band near 655 nm occurs that can be extracted to a powerful femtosecond pulse source far out of the amplification of Ti:sapphire. (C) 2002 Optical Society of America.